Calligraphy Practice Sheet

It's been six months since I started this blog last May, and if you can recall, that's also when I started learning brush lettering. Aside from being a stress-reliever, I listed other benefits of hand writing and included a free brush lettering practice sheet (which I still currently use sometimes).

If you compare my brush lettering style then to my more recent posts, you'll notice the improvement instantly. Remember I mentioned it only takes dedicated practice? There's the proof. ;)

So to continue this learn out loud strategy, I'm sharing another free practice sheet, this time for calligraphy.

The spacing in the printable is 6.5 mm and the baseline is marked with an X. I kept it simple as something both you and I could use as beginners and at the same time, experiment to find our own way of writing.

As usual, I'll share new tips and tricks I pick up along the way in the weeks that follow but here are eight I've learned so far:

1. Pressure — Using the same principle as brush lettering, make upstrokes light and fine with little pressure, and downstrokes dark and thick by adding pressure.

2. Strokes — Being consistent with your strokes is more crucial with calligraphy since the nib is more fragile compared to brush pens.

3. Angle — If your pen angle is wrong, ink can splatter and the nib can snag the paper. Try to keep it at 45 degrees.

4. Nib size — Some nibs don't fit into certain nib holders so make sure you research before you purchase. You can look into holders with 'universal inserts.'

5. Prepping the new nib — Brand new nibs will come with manufacturer's oils which won't let you write with it immediately. Simply scrub the oils off using a soft toothbrush, water, and a small amount of dish detergent or toothpaste.

6. Paper quality — Various inks react differently to certain kinds of paper. Some will bleed through and look messy so it's best to use high quality like 32 lb. laserjet paper or Rhodia pads.

7. After writing — Make sure to clean and dry the nibs after using to avoid rust formation.

8. Patience — As with learning any skill, calligraphy requires patience but once you start getting the hang of it, it's all worth it!